By determining the number of pedestrians and cyclists who use trails and bike lanes, the WSDOT is better able to determine where additional walk-friendly areas are needed. Surveys have shown previous success in other areas; for example, a 2008 trail count in San Jose supported efforts to secure $1,377,000 in grant funding for the development of additional trails. An ongoing national effort to measure the usage and demand of trails, bike lands, and sidewalks, is also in place. Read more about the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project here.

The kick-off event for I Bike SEA is next Thursday, September 6. This pilot project is recruiting N. Seattle residents who work downtown and who have a range of familiarity with bike commuting. For two weeks, you can participate in after-hours socials and morning meet-ups to learn about basic bike repair and safety, in addition to other activities.

The 2012 Vision 2040 Award, which rewards projects that support a sustainable future, was given to the Suquamish Tribe, Suquamish Elementary School, Suquamish Citizen’s Advisory Committee, and Kitsap County. This award, given by the Puget Sound Regional Council, recognizes the Suquamish Safe Route to School project. This project resulted in the construction of 5,600 feet of sidewalk along 14 blocks near Suquamish Elementary. Read more about the project here.

Stage 3 of the Mercer Corridor Project has begun, now that Mercer Street is open to two-way traffic. Click here for detour information, which includes routes for pedestrians and bicyclists.

A Walking Festival on the west coast of Wales? Where do I sign up? The Barmouth Walking Festival takes place in September every year to encourage visitors to explore the beauty of the area. With 30 walks for all abilities, walkers can choose the degree of difficulty and length.

A new study argues that one way to measure the middle class is by the number of passenger cars in circulation. While the current number of passenger vehicles per 1,000 people is 900 in the United States, it’s only 12 in India. At the same time, the number of vehicles in the world is expected to grow 375% by 2050, raising important concerns about what these added cars might do to cities already highly congested.

If you come across any interesting pedestrian news or stories, please send a link to info@feetfirst.org.